Tomorrow morning (20th April) sees the start of a marathon walk for lots of hardy (foolhardy?!) Melbourne souls. Teams of 4, 100km, 48 hours to complete. All over Australia, and in fact, in 13 countries worldwide, committed groups of the fit and not-so-fit are setting out to raise money for Oxfam‘s fantastic poverty alleviation projects. Since 1981, the Trailwalker event has raised more than $100 million. Wow! Jen, my walking companion on the Overland Track in Tasmania earlier this year, is on a team with 3 other friends and together they have persuaded sponsors to part with over $10,000. That’s quite an incentive to walk through the night/pain. This year, the Trail will take them through Jells Park – Churchill National Park – Lysterfield Lake – Ferny Creek – Olinda Creek Track – Graham Colling Reserve – Woori Yallock – the O’Shannassy Aqueduct – Warburton. That’s some walk! While these mammoth walks are a long way from the short walks in my books, it’s incredibly inspiring to see people putting their foot power to such good effect. Have you ever participated in an Oxfam or other charity long distance walk? Thought about doing so? What was your experience? What’s holding you back?

……. Here’s the update you’ve all been waiting on: They made it! Jen and her three team mates walked the 100km in just 26 hours and 43 minutes and raised over $13,000 in the process. And with nothing other than some major sore feet and a few blisters. What legends!